Feeder shipping box for chicks, etc.



June 14 1927.

' K. l. MILLER FEEDER SHIPPING BOX FOR CHICKS, ETC

Filed Jan 17, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 VJune 14, 1927. 1,632,033

K. l. MILLER FEEDER SHIPPING BOX FOR CHICKS, ETC

Filed Jann, 1927 2 sheets-sheet 2 'Patented` Julie' 14, 1927.

may I. MILLER, oF

PATENT OFFICE.

LANCASTER, MISSOURI.

FEEDER, SHIPPING` BQX FOR CHICKS, ETC.

Application iiled January' 17, 1927. Serial No. 161,553. u

This invention pertains primarily to boxes for use in shipping live chicks, rabbits, pigeons, guinea pigs and other small animals and fowls, where it is necessary or desirable to supply them while en route to their destination with feed and water.

More particularly, the invention provides a shipping box equipped with separate feed and water troughs, .and convenient means for replenishing the same without removing the cover of the box. The invention further provides means for taking care of the drip or waste water in such a way that it will not run into the center of the box.- and so endanger the health of the stock carried.

Another object is to provide detachable feed and water. troughs which may be readily mounted inside any conventional form of-shipping box so as to adapt such box for the purposes stated. D

The above stated objects and purposes, as well as other objects, will be fully understood from the following specification, considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure 1 is a plan view of a box partly equipped with feed and water troughs as proposed by this invention, the cover of the box being removed and parts' being broken out to clearly show the arrangement of the elements; Q

Figure 2 is 'a plan view of a box' cover,

' showing the ports provided for the insertion of feed and water;

Figure 3 is a transverse section through the box, troughs and cover; l

Figure 4 is a detail of one of the feed or water cups or troughs, which are made water-proof and inserted within the supports provided therefor;

Figure 5 is a plan view of a blank as `i cut from a sheet of material and adapted to be folded up to form one of the said feed or watertroughs or cups, the folding lines being indicated bybroken lines;

Figure 6 is a detail of a separable false bottom portion having a gutter incorporated at one edge thereof and so adapted for insertion at the regular bottom of the rbox, below the troughs, so as to catch any drip water and prevent the same running down amongst the stock carried;

Figure 7 is a plan view of a blank as cut from a sheet of material and adapted to le folded up to form one of the said separab e false bottom portions, the gutter lines being indicated by broken lines; y

Figure 8 is an edge view of a modified and integrally formed insert for a convent1onal shipping box, which may be cut from a single sheet of material, and folded up to form `and include all the essential features of the invention. The trough insert is also here shown in association with this element;

Figure 9 is a plan view of a blank as cut from a sheet of material ready for folding to form the insert described in Figure 8, he folding lines being indicated by broken mes;

Figure 10 is a detail view showing drain ports punched out through the sides of a conventional form of box immediately above the bottom thereof. This expedient is in lieu of the false bottom pieces embodying the gutters as shown in Figures 1. 3 and 6.

In carrying out this invention, I provide for the conventional shipping box 1, 'separable false bottom pieces 2, one for each of two opposite sides 3 of the box, and I form along one edge of these pieces crimps or gutters 4. The false bottom pieces 2 are cut to the length of the sides 3, inside measure, and are nicely fitted into the box and extended upon the regular bottom 5 thereof, with the gutters 4 opening upwardly and arranged flush against the sides 3 at the corners formed by those sides connecting with the bottom 5. Gutter outlet apertures 6 are cut through the lower corners of the other two sides 7 in alignment with the ends of the gutters 4, and so as to afford uninterrupted outlets for those gutters from the yinterior of the box 1. I next secure relatively long and narrow trough strips or plates 8 interiorly of the box 1, the same being spaced suitably from and arranged parallel to the said sides 3, with the lower edges 9 of these strips disposed upon the false bottom pieces 2 adjacent the gutters 4. As here shown the upper edges 10 of these strips 8 are flared inwardly of the box in a conventional trough formation, but the strips or plates 8 may be set straight with the sidesv3 of the box if preferred. Within the space defined between the sides 3 and the strips 8, I insert water proofed troughs or cups 11. Relatively narrow guard strips or plates 12 are then secured vertically in place above the troughs 11, parallel to the sides 3, and are so arranged as to suitably sides 3, for the insertion Yof food and water ner.

down therethrough into the troughs 11. The cover 15 of the box 1 is pierced with food and water ports 16 and 17 which are adapted to register with the chutes 14 when the said cover is properly mounted upon the box, and these ports are separately and distinctly marked with the words Food vand Water as shown in the drawing.

The elements of the invention may be readily cut or formed from any suitable material, such as pasteboard, craftboard, strawboard or the like; and these elements may Vbe Asecured ,in place within the conventional shipping box in any usual manner and well known to artisans.

\ Figures 4 and 5 show how the feed and water troughs 11 may be readily formed from a sheet of material and folded up `to serve the intended purpose. The blank 18 shown in Figure 5 is impressed with the folding creases 19 and straps 20 are ex'- tended as means for securing the troughs to the sides 3 of the box 1. This blank 18 is then easily folded up into the form shown in Figure 4. The troughs 11 may be rendered water-proof in any conventional man- Figures c and 7 show how the false bofr tom pieces 2 may likewise be formed from blanks 21 impressed with the gutter creases 22, and then bent up to form the gutters 4. Figures 8 and 9 show a manner of forming a separable insert 23 from a single blank 24 impressed with folding creases 25, and

`having a food or water port 26 and a medial recess 27 cut therein. This blank ma then be folded up to form a ridge 28 whic acts in lieu of the trough strip 8 to support.

29 of this integral element servesV as a substitute for the gutter 4 of the first described structure, while the downwardly bent marginal portion 30 acts as a guard strlp or platein lieu of the other strip or plate 12. The cutting of the'rece 27 forms legs 31 adapted for insertion down into the ends of the gutter 29, through the end folds 32 of the trough 11, and affords a means for supporting the structure properly in place. The recess.27 itself gives the stock carried ready access to the food and water within the troughs 11. The vertical back portion 33 and the horizontal apron portion 34 of the insert 23 are suitably secured to a side 3 andi the bottom 5 of' the box l, thus locking the insert in place with the port 26 of the upper connecting web 35 in alignof the cover. Of course this structurel 23 is duplicated for both sides of the box, so as to enable serving both food and water to the stock carried.

` Figure 10 shows a means for providing drainage for the said watering device, which may be readily formed in a conventional shipping box, 'by merely punching out drain ports 36 through the sides of the box im mediately at the bottom thereof and below` the said water trough 11.

In use proper directions are printed uporr the coverof the boxv containing the ship ment of chicks, or whatever it maybe, instructing the transportation agent to feed and water the stock at stated'times., This is accomplished by his inserting the foodand water through the ports so marked, as

aforesaid, whereupon it falls into the troughs. The guard strips or plates 12 actv to hold back the surplus food from rolling out over the front edge of its trough 11; and to prevent the water from unduly splashing in its trough 11. Itis thought best 'to 'provide water-proofed troughs for. both food and water, so-that incase the agent should pour Water by mistake down the food port, the said water would be pre-l` vented from running outwover the'bottoni of the box and in the midst of the stock, to the danger of their health. Whatever .drip water there maybe, overflowing the troughs' 11, will run into the gutters 41 and i"out through the outlet 6,`thus keeping the stock relatively dry.

While I have specific manner and method of constructing and assembling the elements of my invention, it is understood that I may vary from the herein described a certain same in minor details, not departing from-- the spirit of my invelrtion, so as best construct a practical device for-the purpose intendedpas defined in the appended claims.'V

I claim: u 1. In combination with the trough cup 11. `:{The lower outer angle,-C small live stock, a. trough arranged within the box at one sidethereof; and a lgutter arranged below the trough.

2. In combination with a shipping box for small 'live stock, a trough arranged within the box 'at one side thereof; and a gutter arranged below the trough, the said box having drain apertures cut through the sides in alignment with the ends of the said trough.

3. In combination with a shipping box for small live stock, a trough arranged within the box at one side thereof; a gutter arranged below," the trough, the Vsaid box having drain'apertures cut through the sides in alignment with the ends of the said trough; and the cover of the box having a feeding port cut therein over the said trough.

4. In combination with -a shipping box for small live stock, a feeding trough ar-- ranged within the box at one side thereof; and a guard strip mounted above the trough, the Sald guard strip serving to vertically and longitudinally divide the trough to form' access openings at the front of the strip and food and water chutes at th'e back thereof.

5. In combination with a shipping box for Small live stock, a feeding trough arran ed within the box at one side thereof; and a guard strip mounted above the trough, the said guard strip serving to vertically and longitudinally divide the trough to form access openings at the front of the strip and food and water chutes at the back thereof; the cover of the box having a feeding port cut therethrough over the said trough.

6. In combination with a. shipping box for small live stock, a feeding trough arranged within the box at one side thereof; a guard strip mounted vertically above the trough so that its lower edge divides the space between the upper edge of the trough and the side of the box; a gutter arranged below the trough, the said box having drain apertures cut through the sides in alignment with the ends of the said gutter.

7. In combination with a shipping box for small live stock, a feeding trough arranged within the box at one side thereof; a guard strip mounted vertically above the trough so that its lower edge divides the space between the upper v'edge of the trough and the side of the box; a gutter arranged below the trough, the said box having drain apertures cut through the sides in alignment with the ends of the said gutter; and the cover of the box having a feed port cut therethrough adapted to be ositioned over the said feed trough imme iately back of the said guard strip.

8. In a feeding or watering device for a shipping box, a false bottom piece arranged within the box at the bottom thereof, the said piece having a gutter formed therein along one edge, the said gutter being disposed adjacent one side of the box.

9. In a feeding or watering device for a shipping box, a false bottom piece arrangedy Within the box at the bottom thereof, the said piece having a gutter formed therein along one edge, the said gutter being disposed adjacent one side of the box, the said box having apertures cut through its sides in alignment with the ends of the said gutter.

10. A shipping box for small live stock, the said box having drain ports pierced through its sides immediately above the bottom, as means for draining the box.

11. A shipping box forsmall live stock, the said box having drain ports pierced through its sides immediately above the bottom, as means for draining the box; and a trough arranged within the box above said drain orts.

l2. blank for an linsert for a shipping box for small live stock, the same being formed -from an integral sheet of material and adapted to fold up to form a bottom apron, a feed trough supporting ridge and gutter, a vertical back portion, an upper horizontal connecting webV and a depending guardvstrip interposed between the trough supporting ridge and vertical back portion, the said connecting web having a feeding port eut therethrough.

13. A blank for a false bottom piece for a shipping box for small live stock, the same being formed from an integral sheet of Inaterial and adapted to fold up along one edge thereof to form a gutter.

In testimony whereof I aiix my signature.

KIN NEY I. LULLER. 

